Donnelly Takes to Facebook to Make Amends After Gun Arrest

State Assemblyman Tim Donnelly thanked his supporters on Facebook for sticking by him and said they have "every right" to be upset after he was .

Donnelly said that he was carrying the gun because of death threats he'd been receiving related to his attempt to , which allows illegal immigrants in California to apply for college financial aid.

Donnelly told the Huffington Post he'd hidden the gun in his briefcase so his wife wouldn't see it, .

Here's what Donnelly wrote on his Facebook page Thursday:

I cannot put into words my gratitude for the overwhelming outpouring of support. You have been a great encouragement to me, and your prayers have sustained me and my family through difficult days. To those who are upset with me, you have every right to express that. It's a free country! Godspeed, Tim Donnelly